Back support structure

ABSTRACT

A support structure for a user&#39;s back includes a body member and at least one air interface. The body member includes a plurality of members, such as a middle support member and a pair of side support members. The pair of side support members is configured with the middle support member such that a first side support member and a second side support member of the pair of side support members are configured with the middle support member at a pre-determined angle with respect to the middle support member. The plurality of members includes a base layer and a cushion layer disposed on the base layer. The at least one air interface is disposed on each member of the plurality of members to inflate and deflate the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members. Further, a support structure package is configured to cover the support structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/119,919 filed on Dec. 4, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a technique for supporting a person's back, and, more particularly, to a back support structure for supporting a person's back.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Typically, a seating arrangement (hereinafter referred to as ‘seat’) such as a chair, couch, lounger and the like, provides support to a user's body while he/she is seated on the seat. The seat includes a backrest member attached therewith to support the user's back. More often than not, the backrest member of the seat includes a flat surface to enable the user to rest his/her back thereon.

Generally, the user may need to sit on such seat for long hours while working in the office or driving vehicles. Sitting on such seat for long hours causes discomfort to the user. Particularly, back muscles and/or spine of the user may get strained if there is lack of proper support to the user's back. This problem is even more severe for users suffering from back related problems.

Currently, there are a few techniques known in the art that address the above problem. One such technique is to provide an additional backrest support. The additional backrest support may be placed behind the user's back to provide support. Such additional backrest support may include a fixed amount of a cushioning material stuffed therein in order to reduce strain on the back muscles and/or on the spine of the user.

However, such additional backrest support has various drawbacks associated therewith. For example, the backrest support available in the market may be used by various users, and the various users may have different requirements of the cushioning effect. The cushioning effect of the additional backrest support is determined by an amount of the cushioning material stuffed therein. The amount of the cushioning effect is adjusted by adding or removing the cushioning material from the additional backrest support. Adding and removing the cushioning material from the additional backrest support is a cumbersome task. Further, the additional backrest support includes a planer surface on which the user rests his/her back. Such planer surface of the additional backrest support may not provide proper comfort to the user while supporting his/her back.

In light of the above, there exists a need for adjusting a cushioning effect of a backrest support according to a user's requirement for supporting his/her back in a convenient manner. Further, there exists a need to provide such a surface of a backrest support on which a user may support his/her back comfortably in order to reduce strain on his/her back muscles and/or spine.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an adjustment of a cushioning effect of a backrest support according to a user's requirement for supporting his/her back in a convenient manner.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide such a surface of a backrest support on which a user may support his/her back comfortably in order to reduce strain on his/her back muscles and/or spine.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a support structure for supporting a user's back, configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

The support structure includes a body member and at least one air interface. The body member includes a plurality of members, such as a middle support member and a pair of side support members. The pair of side support members is configured with the middle support member such that the middle support member is disposed between a first side support member and a second side support member of the pair of side support members. The first side support member and the second side support member are configured with the middle support member at a pre-determined angle with respect to the middle support member. The plurality of members includes a base layer and a cushion layer disposed on the base layer. The cushion layer is configured to be inflated with air to support the user's back. The at least one air interface is disposed on each member of the plurality of members. The at least one air interface is configured to inflate air into the cushion layer, and is configured to deflate air from the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members. Such inflation and deflation enable a selection of a desired amount of air into the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members for supporting the user's back.

Further, the cushion layer includes a plurality of protruding members disposed on a front surface of the cushion layer. The plurality of protruding members is configured to support the user's back.

Moreover, a support structure package is provided. The support structure package includes a support structure and a covering member. The support structure configured to support a user's back. The support structure includes a body member and at least one air interface. The body member includes a plurality of members, such as a middle support member and a pair of side support members. The pair of side support members is configured with the middle support member such that the middle support member is disposed between a first side support member and a second side support member of the pair of side support members. The first side support member and the second side support member are configured with the middle support member at a pre-determined angle with respect to the middle support member. The plurality of members includes a base layer and a cushion layer disposed on the base layer. The cushion layer is configured to be inflated with air to support the user's back. The at least one air interface is disposed on each member of the plurality of members. The at least one air interface is configured to inflate air into the cushion layer, and is configured to deflate air from the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members. Such inflation and deflation enable a selection of a desired amount of air into the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members for supporting the user's back. Further, the covering member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface configures a cavity portion for receiving the support structure, and the outer surface is capable of protecting the support structure upon the support structure being received in the cavity portion.

The support structure includes the at least one air interface disposed on the each member of the plurality of members. The at least one air interface is configured to inflate air into the cushion layer, and is configured to deflate air from the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members, thereby enabling the user to adjust the cushioning effect of the support structure according to his/her requirement for supporting his/her back in a convenient manner. Further, the cushion layer includes such a surface on which the user may support his/her back comfortably in order to reduce strain on his/her back muscles and/or spine. More particularly, the cushion layer includes the plurality of protruding members disposed on the front surface of the cushion layer. The plurality of protruding members is configured to support the user's back comfortably in order to reduce strain on his/her back muscles and/or spine.

These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a support structure for supporting a user's back, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a support structure package, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an environment depicting utility of the support structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in composition, structure, and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular support structure for supporting a user's back, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The term “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement of one element over another. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a support structure 100 for supporting a user's back is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The support structure 100 includes a body member 102 and at least one air interface, such as an air interface 104. The support structure 100 may be placed on a seat for providing support to the user's back while the user is seated on the seat. Particularly, the body member 102 is adapted to provide a support to the user's back while the user is seated on the seat. Further, the air interface 104 provides a passage to inflate and deflate the body member 102 according to the user's preference of supporting the back thereof.

The body member 102 includes a plurality of members, such as a middle support member 106, and a pair of side support members 108 configured with the middle support member 106 (herein after also collectively referred to as ‘plurality of members 106-108’). The pair of side support members 108 is configured with the middle support member 106 in a manner such that the middle support member 108 is disposed between a first side support member 108 a and a second side support member 108 b of the pair of side support members 108. In an embodiment, the first side support member 108 a and the second side support member 108 b are disposed on opposite lateral extremities of the middle support member 106. The pair of side support members 108 is disposed on the opposite lateral extremities of the middle support member 106 through stitching, gluing, and the like. Specifically, the first side support member 108 a and the second side support member 108 b are configured on the opposite lateral extremities of the middle support member 106 at a pre-determined angle with respect to the middle support member 106. The pre-determined angle between the first side support member 108 a and the middle support member 106 and between the second side support member 108 b and the middle support member 106 is theta (θ). The theta is based on a width of a user's back and a width of the seat on which the support structure 100 is placed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre-determined angle theta is about 152 degrees. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the support structure 100 with different pre-determined angle theta may be embodied without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Configuration of the pair of side support members 108 with the middle support member 106 at the pre-determined angle theta provides a bent structure of the body member 102. The bent structure of the body member 102 provides a proper support to the user's back. Specifically, the middle support member 106 provides support to a middle portion of the user's back, and the pair of side support members 108 provides support to lateral portions of the user's back.

Further, the plurality of members 106-108 includes a base layer 110 and a cushion layer 112 disposed on the base layer 110. Specifically, the base layer 110 includes a top surface 110 a and a bottom surface 110 b. Further, the cushion layer 112 includes a back surface 112 a and a front surface 112 b. The back surface 112 a of the cushion layer 112 is disposed on the top surface 110 a of the base layer 110 for coupling the cushion layer 112 with the base layer 110. The coupling of the cushion layer 112 with the base layer 110 may be done by stitching, gluing, and the like. The base layer 110 is configured with the cushion layer 112 to provide a structural support to the cushion layer 112, and overall rigidity to the body member 102. Further, the front surface 112 b of the cushion layer 112 includes a plurality of protruding members such as protruding members 114 disposed thereon. The protruding members 114 are configured to support the user's back. Furthermore, the cushion layer 112 is configured to be inflated with air to support the user's back. Specifically, the protruding members 114 are configured to be inflated with air through the air interface 104 to support the user's back. Further, in order to support the user's back in a comfortable manner, top portions of the protruding members 114 are tapered to have a thickness of about 0.75 inches, and bottom portions of the protruding members 114 are tapered to have a thickness of about 2 inches. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the middle support member 106 includes twelve protruding members, such as the protruding members 114, to support the user's back in the comfortable manner. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the middle support member 106 includes six protruding members, such as the protruding members 114, to support the user's back in the comfortable manner. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the middle support member 106 may accommodate any number of protruding members, such as the protruding members 114, of various shapes and sizes at various positions thereof.

The air interface 104 is disposed on each member, such as the middle support member 106 and the pair of side support members 108 of the plurality of members 106-108. The air interface 104 is configured to inflate air into the each member of the plurality of members 106-108. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air interface 104 includes an inlet valve 104a and a release valve 104 b, disposed on the each member of the plurality of members 106-108. The air interface 104 is configured to inflate air into the cushion layer 112, and deflate air out of the cushion layer 112 of the each member of the plurality of members 106-108. Specifically, the inlet valve 104 a is configured to provide a passage (not shown) for enabling a flow of air into the cushion layer 112 of the each member of the plurality of members 106-108. Further, the release valve 104 b is configured to provide a passage (not shown) for enabling the flow of air out of the cushion layer 112 of the each member of the plurality of members 106-108. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the air interface 104 may be configured to provide a single passage for enabling inflation and deflation of the cushion layer 112. The inflation of the cushion layer 112 with air makes the cushion layer 112 flexible. Consequently, the flexibility of the cushion layer 112 provides a cushioning effect to the user's back. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the support structure 100 with different positioning of the air interface 104 may be embodied without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

Further, the air interface 104 is configured to inflate air into the cushion layer 112 and configured to deflate air from the cushion layer 112 of the each member of the plurality of members 106-108. Such inflation and deflation of the cushion layer 112 enables a selection of a desired amount of air into the cushion layer 112 of the each member of the plurality of members 106-108 for supporting the user's back. The selection of the desired amount of air into the cushion layer 112 provides a desired cushioning effect to the user's back. Particularly, cushioning effect provided by the each member of the plurality of members 106-108 may be adjusted by the selection of the desired amount of air into the cushion layer 112 of the each member of the plurality of members 106-108, according to the user's preference. The support structure 100 is configured to be positioned on the seat for providing such cushioning effect and utility of the support structure 100 will be described in conjunction with FIG. 3.

The support structure 100 is configured to include a suitable length, breadth and width thereof for being positioned on the seat. In one embodiment, the support structure 100 may include a length of 10 inches, a breadth of 16 inches and a width of 0.25 inches. Particularly, a breadth of the middle support member 106 is 8 inches and a breadth of the first side support member 108 a and a breadth of the second side support member 108 b are 4 inches. Moreover, the support structure 100 is composed from one of a cotton material, a polyester material, a leather material, a plastic material, and a rubber material. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art to configure the support structure 100 of various other dimensions and materials apart from the dimensions and the materials disclosed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a support structure package 200 for enclosing a support structure, such as the support structure 100. The support structure package 200 includes a covering member 202 and the support structure 100. The covering member 202 includes an inner surface 204 and an outer surface 206. The inner surface 204 configures a cavity portion 208 for receiving the support structure 100 in the covering member 202. Further, the outer surface 206 is capable of protecting the support structure 100 from dust, stains and other environmental conditions upon the support structure 100 being received in the cavity portion 208. The covering member 202 may be composed of flexible materials for being stretched for easily receiving the support structure 100 in the cavity portion 208. More particularly, the covering member 202 is composed from one of a cotton material, a polyester material, a leather material, a plastic material, and a rubber material for being stretched for easily receiving the support structure 100 in the cavity portion 208. Furthermore, the outer surface 206 may be configured to include various colors, designs and patterns for providing an aesthetic look to the support structure package 200, according to the user's preference.

Further, the covering member 202 includes a zipper arrangement 210. The zipper arrangement 210 is configured to hold the support structure 100 in the cavity portion 208. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, Velcro™, clips, buttons, strings, buckles and combination thereof may be utilized to hold the support structure 100 in the cavity portion 208.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an environment 300 depicting utility of the support structure 100 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, a user 302 is seating on a seat 304 while reading a book 306 placed on a table 308. Further, the support structure 100 is placed on the seat behind a back 310 of the user 302. In one embodiment, the support structure 100 may be placed in the support structure package 200 may be placed on the seat 304 behind the back 310 of the user 302. The middle support member 106 of the support structure 100 is capable of supporting the back 310 of the user 302. Specifically, the middle support member 106 is capable of supporting a middle portion (not shown) of the back 310. Further, the first side support member 108 a and the second side support member 108 b are capable of supporting lateral portions (not shown) of the back 310 of the user 302. Particularly, the first side support member 108 a and the second side support member 108 b prevent sagging of the back 310 on the lateral portions of the user 302.

A support structure, such as the support structure 100 is advantageous in providing support to a user's back. The support structure provides an adjustable cushioning effect to the user's back. The support structure prevents lateral sagging of the user's back by providing support to lateral portions of the user's back. Furthermore, the support structure allows the user to adjust the cushioning effect by selecting a desired amount of air inflated in each member of a plurality of members, such as the plurality of members 106-108. Moreover, the support structure reduces discomfort caused to the user due to lateral sagging of the user's back, and prevents straining of back muscles and spine of the user. Further, a support structure package, such as the support structure package 200 protects the support structure from dust, stains and other environmental conditions and provides an aesthetic look to the support structure.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A support structure for supporting a user's back, the support structure comprising: a body member comprising a plurality of members, the plurality of members comprising a middle support member and a pair of side support members configured with the middle support member such that the middle support member is disposed between a first side support member and a second side support member of the pair of side support members, wherein the first side support member and the second side support member are configured with the middle support member at a pre-determined angle with respect to the middle support member, and, wherein the plurality of members comprises a base layer, and a cushion layer disposed on the base layer, the cushion layer configured to be inflated with air to support the user's back; and at least one air interface disposed on each member of the plurality of members, the at least one air interface configured to inflate air into the cushion layer, and configured to deflate air from the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members, thereby enabling a selection of a desired amount of air into the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members for supporting the user's back.
 2. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one air interface comprises an inlet port to inflate the cushion layer with air.
 3. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one air interface comprises a release valve to deflate air out of the cushion layer.
 4. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the cushion layer comprises a plurality of protruding members disposed on a front surface of the cushion layer, the plurality of protruding members configured to support the user's back.
 5. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the support structure is composed from one of a cotton material, a polyester material, a leather material, a plastic material, and a rubber material.
 6. A support structure package comprising: a support structure for supporting a user's back, the support structure comprising: a body member comprising a plurality of members, the plurality of members comprising a middle support member and a pair of side support members configured with the middle support member such that the middle support member is disposed between a first side support member and a second side support member of the pair of side support members, wherein the first side support member and the second side support member are configured with the middle support member at a predetermined angle with respect to the middle support member, and, wherein the plurality of members comprises a base layer, and a cushion layer disposed on the base layer, the cushion layer configured to be inflated with air to support the user's back, and at least one air interface disposed on each member of the plurality of members, the at least one air interface configured to inflate air into the cushion layer, and configured to deflate air from the cushion layer of the each member of the plurality of members; and a covering member comprising an inner surface configuring a cavity portion for receiving the support structure, and an outer surface capable of protecting the support structure upon the support structure being received in the cavity portion.
 7. The support structure package of claim 6, wherein the covering member is composed from one of a cotton material, a polyester material, a leather material, a plastic material, and a rubber material.
 8. The support structure package of claim 6, wherein the covering member comprises a zipper arrangement to hold the support structure in the cavity portion. 